NBAA Applauds Progress of Bill to Promote Transportation Careers

March 13, 2020

A U.S. Senate bill supporting a five-year campaign to promote workforce development and diversity across the country’s transportation industry, including many sectors important to the continued growth of business aviation, is one step closer to final passage after being approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

NBAA is the lead supporter of S.B. 3303 – the Promoting Services in Transportation Act – which could provide up to $5 million annually to the U.S Department of Transportation from fiscal 2021 – 2026 to develop broadcast, digital and print media advertising and outreach.
This public service campaign would promote career opportunities for pilots, safety inspectors, mechanics and technicians, air traffic controllers, engineers and flight attendants, as well as other transportation professionals, and targets increased diversity across the transportation workforce.

“As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, supporting jobs in the transportation industry is even more vital,” said Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) when he introduced S.B. 3303 last month with co-sponsors Cory Gardner (R-CO), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK).

S.B. 3303 is a companion bill to HR. 5118, which is sponsored by Reps. Rick Larsen (D-2-WA), Don Young (R-AK) and Angie Craig (D-2-MN).

“Business aviation, like other critical sectors of our country’s transportation industry, is facing a significant workforce challenge and we must act now to meet future demand. We thank Sen. Peters, the bill’s co-sponsors and the members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation for recognizing the importance of this challenge and for supporting our effort to attract a new and diverse generation of professionals to a rewarding and fulfilling career in business aviation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.

“I encourage all of our members to continue to engage with their elected officials in the House and Senate to explain the importance of the Promoting Service in Transportation Act to the growth of business aviation,” Bolen added.

To find out more about supporting the Promoting Services in Transportation Act, please visit our Contact Congress resource.